Father set for London Marathon challenge in aid of the Stars Appeal after sons were cared for on the Neonatal Unit

A father from Durrington is taking on his first London Marathon in aid of the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, who supported his family after his sons were born prematurely.

Carl Griffett is running the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, April 27 to raise money for the Stars Appeal’s Neonatal Unit Fund. His sons Noah, born 2015, and Alfie, born 2018, were both cared for on the Neonatal Unit at Salisbury Hospital.

The 40-year-old said: “My wife Kelly suffered from a life-threatening pregnancy complication forcing the doctor to deliver our firstborn, Noah, at 30 weeks. Noah stayed in the Neonatal Unit for six weeks and in that time he was cared for by the amazing nurses in Salisbury, spending many weeks in incubators purchased by Stars Appeal.

“Alfie was born at 29 weeks due to the same complication. Unfortunately, he suffered a pneumothorax after one day and was rushed to Portsmouth to receive care. After a couple of weeks my wife and Alfie returned to Salisbury Hospital where they spent five weeks in the care of the Neonatal Unit.”

On both occasions, Carl and his wife were able to stay with their sons on the Neonatal Unit in the Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation.

Noah on the Neonatal Unit

“Without the Stars Appeal, we wouldn't have been able to stay with our children during their most vulnerable weeks,” explains Carl. “The suite provided a safe space to escape to some normality amongst all the crazy goings on. It was a Godsend. Once my wife was well enough herself, her maternal instincts kicked in and she didn't want to be away from either child. It allowed me to feel involved too as I could give my wife a rest from feeding and help out in the night.”

The Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation on the Neonatal Unit provides four en-suite family rooms, six ‘mother and baby’ rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen, and quiet room. The Stars Appeal funded facilities mean it is one of the only Neonatal Units in the country where every mum can stay with their baby.

For Carl, running the London Marathon is a dream come true as he has tried 15 times to secure a place. It will be his 11th marathon run. He adds, “Running the London Marathon has always been a dream for me. It's a great personal achievement to finally be running London, but it also gives me the opportunity to give back to a charity that has provided so much to me and my family.”

To sponsor Carl, visit https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/carl-griffett. Anyone interested in running the London Marathon in aid of the Stars Appeal can find out more at www.starsappeal.org/event/run-london-marathon-for-stars-appeal/. The charity has places for 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.